Saluting Carol Burnett on Her 90th, A Flash-back to Arrow, Iconic Fenway Park, Getting Personal with Wynonna Judd
NBC celebrates comedy legend Carol Burnett’s 90th birthday with a two-hour all-star tribute. The Flash marks the much-younger Barry Allen’s birthday, with a surprise appearance by Stephen Amell (whose Arrow launched the Arrow-verse). A PBS series explores Iconic America, starting with Boston’s Fenway Park. A documentary follows Wynonna Judd as she figures out her next moves after her mother Naomi’s tragic death.
Carol Burnett: 90 Years of Laughter + Love
Special
We’re so glad we had this time together. As legendary comedian Carol Burnett turns 90, a two-hour tribute special brings out the stars to pay homage at the Avalon Hollywood. Guests include Cher, former co-star Vicki Lawrence, her friend of 60 years Julie Andrews, Lily Tomlin, Susan Lucci, Ellen DeGeneres, the list goes on. The celebration includes comedy sketches—Marisa Tomei dons Carol’s Mrs. Wiggins costume—and plenty of music, including a rendition of Sondheim’s “Old Friends” with Kristin Chenoweth and frequent The Carol Burnett Show guest Bernadette Peters, who also teams with Billy Porter and Jane Lynch for a rendition of Annie’s “Easy Street.” Vintage clips salute her beloved sketch partners Harvey Korman, Tim Conway and Lyle Waggoner. A good time will be had by all. (And an extended cut will begin streaming Thursday on Peacock.)
The Flash
One more birthday for the Flash aka Barry Allen (Grant Gustin) before the superhero series wraps next month. The surprise festivities bring some cheer with fellow Speedster Wally West (Keiynan Lonsdale) and John Diggle (David Ramsey) on hand, but when Season 6 villain Ramsey “Bloodwork” Rosso crashes the bash and a mass poisoning ensues, who should appear but Stephen Amell, Arrow himself, in his new persona as the Spectre.
Iconic America: Our Symbols and Stories With David Rubenstein
Series Premiere
When is a stadium more than a stadium? When it’s a shrine, “the foremost symbol of the game we love,” says host-narrator David M. Rubenstein, our guide to a series exploring the history of iconic American landmarks and symbols including the Hollywood Sign, the Statue of Liberty, the Golden Gate Bridge and the cowboy. The opener goes inside Boston’s Fenway Park, America’s oldest ballpark (at 111!) and home to the once-underdog Boston Red Sox. Rubenstein visits the fabled “Green Monster” left field wall, peering within its manually operated scoreboard. But it’s the memories of fellow fans, plus players and sportswriters, who help bring Fenway alive.
Wynonna Judd: Between Hell and Hallelujah
Documentary Premiere
A feature-length documentary profiles Wynonna Judd during a painful time of mourning after the tragic death of her mother and musical partner Naomi, as the singer decides to honor her family legacy with “The Judds: The Final Tour.” The film includes footage on and off stage during the tour, with reflections from friends who grieved with her, including Ashley McBryde, Brandi Carlile, Faith Hill, Kelsea Ballerini, Martina McBride and Trisha Yearwood.
Schmigadoon!
In the penultimate episode of the musical spoof we wish could go on forever, Melissa (Cecily Strong) and Josh (Keegan-Michael Key) each get a tempting taste of fame—her on the stage with a long-awaited solo number—think “Maybe Next Time” from Cabaret—and him as the new leader of the hippie tribe. But as two other characters sing, in a Burt Bacharach-inspired interlude, “There’s Always a Twist.”
INSIDE WEDNESDAY TV:
- The Goldbergs (8:30/7:30c, ABC): With only one week to go before the series finale, Adam (Sean Giambrone) gets a fateful letter from NYU.
- The Masked Singer (8/7c, Fox): The three costumed crooners who were “saved by the bell”—Mantis, Gargoyle and Medusa—perform for one last open slot in the quarterfinals.
- Chasing Carbon Zero (9/8c, PBS): Science program Nova explores new initiatives to reduce carbon emissions with the hopeful goal of reaching net zero by 2050.
- Riverdale (9/8c, The CW): Principal Featherhead (William MacDonald) thinks comic books are a bad influence on kids. Try telling that to Jughead (Cole Sprouse), who’s been hired by Pep Comics to write four stories for the next issue.
- True Lies (10/9c, CBS): Tom Arnold (from the original 1994 film) and Kate Vernon guest as retired Omega Sector agents Arnie and Sharon, who join Harry (Steve Howey) and Helen (Ginger Gonzaga) on a mission, giving the couple a sobering glimpse into the future of how being superspies can ruin a relationship.
- Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens (10:30/9:30c, Comedy Central): The quirky sitcom inspired by the comic actor’s roots in Queens returns for a third season. In the first episode, Nora joins a reality competition show.
- Saint X (streaming on Hulu): Fear the Walking Dead’s fierce Alycia Debnam-Carey stars in an eight-part thriller (launching with three episodes) as Emily, a documentary editor drawn back to the Caribbean to learn the truth about her sister’s mysterious death in the tropics years before.
- Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures (streaming on Disney+): An animated spinoff set during the era of the High Republic tags along with young Jedis as they learn the way of the Force.
Conversation8 Comments
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J
I can't figure out why the Carol Burnett thing is on NBC, when her iconic show was on CBS. Wasn't another Burnett special on TV within the past year? I could swear I've seen one. Or maybe this one was just talked about months ago and that's what I'm thinking of. (I just hope this 'salute' isn't an embarassing mess, as sometimes things can be.)
I'll watch True Lies. I hope CBS renews it. It's over the top, but it's fun.
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G
Perhaps CBS/ Paramount doesn’t own it. Could be NBC/Universal does.
Sometimes Networks air show that aren’t owned. FOX’s 9-1-1 shows are Disney owned. NBC’s This Is Us was also Disney.
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G
FBI
Spoiler Alert
Maggie was too harsh to her recovering sister .
Calling her an outright embarrassment will likely cause her to go back to her old ways .
Also I dislike episodes where the family members just happen to be part of a case. The novice sister could have easily been killed multiple times .
Still watchable though.
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R
That really was a jaw-dropper when Maggie said that to her sister's face, though I guess it's realistic when a family member is frustrated after years of dealing with a family member's addiction and their lies to cover it up. Second most memorable FBI line of the night: Remy telling the fertility doctor he hopes that he'll "get gutted like a rainbow trout" in prison.
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G
Remy of Most Wanted usually has the best lines . That’s why the Maggie line was shocking .
But yea , I guess it’s realistic . But still unexpected from Maggie.
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J
Agree with you wholeheartedly. Maggie really stepped over the line, telling her sister she was an embarassment (or whatever her words were). I hope her sister succeeds and thrives in spite of the words.
I also agree with you about friends/family members being "coincidentally" involved in the cases. Especially shows set in NYC.... with 18 million people in the city, what are the odds of this really happening? Even aside from that aspect, having family members involved in crimes or cases is very cheesy and trope-y. Unfortunately, FBI has done it quite a bit in the past season or two.
THe same general thing goes for friends, family members, even CIs going into a situation wearing a wire. It really is done waaaaay too much, and often does not end well.
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G
I’ll record Carol Burnett .
ABC very reliable comedy line up in real time. The Conners and The Goldbergs always bring a smile to my face.
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A
The Flash and maybe Iconic America — to be recorded, as perhaps the Carol Burnett special for old times' sake.